Mystery item - can you identify what this is?

[Duer 157099]

Got this several months ago at a thrift store, mainly because I could not figure out what it was and bringing it home was my only option. Still have not figured it out. At first I thought it must be some sort of candle holder, or for floating candles, or a PartyLite item, something like that, but have had no luck finding something similar to identify it. No markings anywhere of any kind.

It's a little over 12" long, about 5" wide, and consists of 3 pieces: a wrought iron base, a piece of molded glass with a recessed well, (almost looks like a butter holder but a bit larger) that sits on the base, and a 2nd piece of glass with 5 holes that, when placed on the 1st piece of glass, the holes align down the center of the well.

I also thought it could be some sort of bud vase. So, those were my only thoughts: candle or flower.

Please help? This has been nagging at me for quite awhile and I need to put it to rest :D

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Found this

Similar in design, but I bet yours serves the same purpose :hi:
http://www.bridalpeople.com/table-decorations/21778.asp

[Duer 157099]

2. Wow, nicely done!

I tried searching using words like "trough" and got close but never saw that one. How did you find it?

That was the thing, I just couldn't seem to find the right search terms to describe this!

But I bet that's exactly what it is.

Thank you! :D

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. I used keywords: five holes glass tray iron stand

Yours is cool! Looks more like a Feng Shui type of holder.

I was picturing marbles in the base with water, and young bamboo shoots through the holes.

Also thought it would be cute to put in white sand and little shells and pebbles in the base tray, and then store those tiny zen garden tools in the holes, and maybe some IChing coins tied onto a little stick with red string, kind of like a wind chime on a stick...maybe add a paper fish kite...all in miniature :)
Some tools:

[Duer 157099]

4. Oooo nice ideas

I like the marbles and bamboo thing ... it does look Asian inspired, and feng shuish.

I just found something that seems to use the same type of glass -- but searching by the artist name I don't turn up anything like mine.

http://www.csnstores.com/Howard-Elliott-TGBV-RD1458.html

It's so odd, because it's extremely rare for me to find something that I cannot find also online -- that's how mass-marketed we've become. I will find the most unique obscure items in thrift stores, and after a bit of research, will find one somewhere, either ebay or elsewhere. I can't think of another item I've found where I cannot find another one on the web, somewhere.

So this is really bothering me!

:D

Edit to add: just found this... now I'm thinking it's something from Target (which was actually one of my first thoughts, lol)

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-1425663-6847864?asin=B000GATYHO&AFID=Shopping&LNM=B000GATYHO|Rectangular_Glass_on_Metal_Tray&ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001

I can imagine finding this at Target.

Edit again to add: I think I'm closing in on it... it's looking very much like this "Danya B" stuff...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02411696000P?vName=For%20the%20Home&cName=HomeDecor&sName=Home%20Accents&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Look what I found!

Maybe you're missing the votive candle holders...?




http://candlesmall.zlio.com/tracking?productID=8960397&p=10270755&z=147736&framed=yes

Brighten up your surroundings with this unique candle holder. It features a long rectangular glass tray that rests on a black stand, and comes with 5 votive candles in glass holders. The glass tray can also be used as a stylish serving tray or presentation plate. This set will make a creative gift.17.5 inches l. x 7.5 inches w. x 2 inches h.

[NMDemDist2]

6. maybe that's it! only instead of votives, her's is desinged for tall candles? n/t

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Could be for thin tapers

And the tray being below is the base stop area for the end of the candle.

Would look pretty to fill the base with textured materials to go with one's decor or on a seasonal basis.


As example: rocks, shells from the seashore, or tiny ornaments and bows, etc. for Christmas, or...?
Possibilities are endless, as well as adding to the topper slab area with leaves, small garland, ribbon, or ...?

Also though that the holes in the tray topper could serve well for stabilizing fruit, such as pears, and spacing these evenly for a pretty color and dimensional decor accent. Mixing a candle or three into the mix on that would be interesting, too.

Hi AZ!

How's life in NM these days? :hi:

On edit:
Link for some thin tapers

http://www.craftedcandles.com/tapers/mini_taper_candles.html

Main site link:
http://www.craftedcandles.com/taper.html

[NMDemDist2]

9. NM is good, i've got a little cold and drama in the workplace

life goes on yanno?

I'm the county Democratic Party volunteer coordinator so that's keeping me busy too

:hi:

[Duer 157099]

8. Eek! That's the closest so far!

That really looks so similar that it *must* be the same manufacturer.

Isn't this fun? What did people do before Google and the Internets???? I can't even imagine.

Edit to add: you know, looking closely at that photo, it looks like the identical iron base, but flipped upside down.

Edit again to say: !!!! Looking even more closely, that glass piece *does* have the recessed well! I didn't notice that at first! The mystery deepens now... do I have an extra piece of glass that doesn't belong, but was put with it by the thrift store people? Or did the company sell variations of the item.. or is that seller just being creative because they found the item without the 2nd piece of glass???

Edit one more time: Maybe the 2nd piece of glass lays over the top of the votives, and the wicks stick through the holes, so just the flame "floats" on the top glass piece??? Does that even make sense??

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. I thought about that re: wicks through holes

But, since it's glass, and you really don't know the temper of it, heat from flame may cause the glass to crack or break.

BUT
You could use those flickering battery operated tea lights and stick the "flame" though the holes

http://www.stpatricksguild.com/browse.cfm/4,49121.htm


And even cuter:
http://www.amazon.com/Flameless-Tealights-Battery-Operated-Changing/dp/B000RJMBVU


on edit:
Want to add the thought that maybe what you have is an item that has a dual purpose:
Tray w/well is for votives
Slab with holes is for tapers or silk flowers or chopsticks or....?
Meaning that you can interchange the top part for your needs, and, per the ideas bouncing around here, use them together :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. PS

In your OP pic, do you think you may have the base upside down?

[Duer 157099]

12. I doubt it -- I think whoever did that photo has it upside down

I tried it, and it just doesn't make as much sense and is not as stable.